2013 US Rep of the Year

Atlantic (NY/ PA/ NJ/ DE/ MD /DC)

Kent Fried

So when asked how I got started in the business, what can I say but......Once upon a time etc......Well for me it goes like this:

With the support of my family Sherri, Matt and Shaina, I was able leave the comfort of what was my "career" at the time to look towards my desired path in the snow sports industry. I accepted a position with a small but growing company, Ovo Helmets in 2002 as the sales rep for the Mid-Atlantic region. During my tenure at Ovo I was hired to work with the Dynamic division of Atomic and my association with the Amer Company was formed. I now represent the Atomic brand as well as Hestra Gloves, Descente Apparel, Sun Valley Ski Tools and Lorpen Socks. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work in the Snow Sports Industry and with these brands, since I believe that your brands can either elevate or deflate your effectiveness on a daily basis.

This season, as a way of adapting to the ever changing market needs and the challenges they represent, I added Val Kechian as my associate. As our business changes I have found it necessary to continuously review my actions and processes to get the desired results.

The friendships that I have developed throughout the sport mean a great deal to me and I believe are biggest part of my success. It’s the people that make this sport what it is. Winning this award is such an honor for me since I work in an area where I believe my peers are of the highest quality. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for me.

"The SIA Snow Show is the best time of the year! You get to see all the new technology coming out, you get to see all the sales reps you have relationships with, and then right around the corner you get to test everything out at the On-Snow Demo at Copper."
Katy Graul, Ski Brokers, Fraser, CO

"For me, the Show is so much more than just a product presentation, it's a true breeding ground for ideas and inspiration. The forums, the marketing information, and the opportunities for retailers like me to network with each other has become a major feature for me."
Teddy Schiavoni, Summit Ski Shop, Framingham, MA

"It's the place to go to see as many manufacturing companies as you can see under one roof at one time. It’s the latest and greatest of everything that’s going to be coming through the stores in the next six to eight months. I think people do a disservice to themselves by not going."
Susan Woody, sales rep, Turtle Fur

"This Show is so important because it's the preview for what’s to come; it's the big picture. You can talk to the people that are in sales, product development, we can tell you plans for next year as well as help retailers with their buy so they become informed and make better decisions for their business."
Ryan Green, Nordic Division Manager, Rossignol

"From an international perspective, I can see that the whole US snow sports industry is truly a community. Everybody's here and you can see that it's a family."
Sigi Rumphuber, Product Designer/Engineer, G3

"This whole business is based on relationships, so if you don’t get that face to face time it's difficult to continue those relationships or build new ones. And of course we have to be at the Show because it gives a chance for everyone to see the full line, and to talk about any problems or potential opportunities."
Josh Roberts, VP, Nitro Snowboards